personally this book wasnt for me but the author did a great job at developing the characters with the storyline! however besides that, the story was too detailed that it made the pacing bad, a lot of parts definitely could have been edited out. tbh i dont have much to say eek.4 s Amanda Mercedes299 11

I think this one works better as a Hollywood drama than a mystery per se. I found that a lot of the details focused around Hollywood movie production, drama with the stars and how they choose to deal with family matters away from the cameras, or rather because of the cameras. yes, the deaths do tie in but I felt it was less of a whodunnit, and more of a “why was it handled this way”. Also all of the little fires Joey had to put out around the production of the movie. Overall I found this one okay. I lost the plot a little bit, and I think it’s because it wasn’t what I expected. It didn’t give me the anticipation that mysteries normally do. I think if it was written with the intention of a Hollywood drama, my opinion would be different. Especially because you can tell research went into what goes down behind the scenes.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc!
4 s Luis Nuñez96 7

I was ecstatic when I found out that there was a second mystery book in the Hollywood Mystery series by Marjorie McCown entitled STAR STRUCK!

My wife and I became instant fans of the first book “FINAL CUT” and of author Marjorie McCown. The protagonist, Joey Jessop is a costume designer extraordinaire, and the mysteries occur behind the scenes of major Hollywood film productions.

Nobody can write as brilliantly about the Hollywood movie crowd and all the intricacies involved in making a movie than author Marjorie McCown. Nobody, period!

In the second mystery, Joey faces very complex situations that require her to use her expert talents, intuition, dedication and sleuthing. She is a master accomplisher!

Author Marjorie McCown writes in a very smooth and all-absorbing way. Marjorie was an instrumental costume designer in Hollywood, and is credited for working on many movie blockbusters in her career, so she absolutely knows what she is writing about!!

After finishing the second book, I feel I have just returned from a job in Hollywood, where I worked besides Joey, trying to jump through all the hoops and obstacles she is faced with on a daily basis.

It is most gratifying for me that we are taken to most familiar streets and locales all over Los Angeles. I identify with all the nuances of doing business and interacting with different cultures and fascinating neighborhoods that make LA the cosmopolitan metropolis that it is!

Star Struck has more than one drama happening, and all are just as intriguing and gripping. Of course, there is a murder to solve, and when the culprit is revealed at the end, it came as a complete surprise, which was gratifying to me.

The only negative I can mention is that the book was so absorbing that I read it very quickly, and now I have to wait for another Joey Jessop adventure.

I most highly recommend this book and its predecessor, FINAL CUT!

Thank you, Marjorie McCown, for writing such amazing books. I also thank Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books for offering me the opportunity to read this book in return for a personal review.2 s Jan BardsleyAuthor 5 books1 follower

I enjoyed Final Cut so much that I pre-ordered Star Struck on Kindle months ago. Another great read from Marjorie McCown! What made me read it quickly over two days? The engaging world of costuming and movie-making in Los Angeles. The fast pace, the twists and turns, and the personalities involved in getting just the right costumes in place at just the right time fascinated me. No easy task. Clearly, protagonist Joey knows her way around LA freeways and boulevards. Her journeys on the job take us downtown, to the beach, to Mexican bodegas, and Korean costume-making enterprises. The murder mystery unfolds amidst the smoke and mirrors of bringing to life a glamorous 1930s movie set. McCown paints the 1930s nightclub life so well, I felt that I could almost jump in and order some bubbly. Each character in Star Struck is unique and believable, but Joey shines as the hardworking, compassionate, and honest costumer trying to make the world right again. I highly recommend Star Struck to fans of mysteries, LA, and costuming.1 Kathy Martin3,697 97

The second book in the Hollywood Mysteries really delves into the guts of making a motion picture. Joey Jessup is a film costumer who is working on the latest blockbuster-wanna-be starring two of the world's biggest stars.

The female lead is Gillian Best. She's known for her lifestyle brand and her difficult personality. If there is a word for the actress equivalent of a bridezilla it would have Gillian's picture next to it in the dictionary. Gillian can't function without her entourage Including her agent, personal assistant, and personal videographer among a host of others.

Besides dealing with the star's outrageous demands, Joey and the other costumers have to deal with schedule changes that mean costumes originally slated for later in the production have to be ready almost immediately. And the producer's interference with one of the costume shops in Italy forces that shop to cancel the contract with almost no notice leaving Joey scrambling for a new shop which can make the costumes immediately.

Joey is still traumatized by the events of the first book in the series. So, when she sees an accident outside the area where she was shooting which results in the death of woman she has seen in a shop where she was getting lunch, the trauma just grows. Even more suspiciously, the vehicle seems to be the same one she'd seen at Gillian Best's house earlier.

Then a blow up between Gillian and her assistant adds more tension to the set. When Joey goes to the assistant's house to try to smooth things over, she discovers the assistant has apparently committed suicide while wearing a borrowed Harry Winstone diamond and ruby necklace. The police seem willing to write the death off as a suicide, but Joey isn't convinced.

This is a busy story. Between dealing with the possible murder of the assistant, the drugging Gillian's daughter, various hijinks in getting the costumes made in union shops and discovering that they are actually being made in non-union sweatshops, Joey is under lots and lots of stress before she manages to solve the murder and bring the culprits to justice.

Fans of Hollywood behind the scenes action will enjoy this mystery. Melinda Elizabeth1,150 12

Star Struck 2" by Marjorie McCown takes readers on a thrilling journey through the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, where mysteries lurk behind the scenes. McCown's skillful storytelling and vivid portrayal of the entertainment industry make for a captivating read.

In this murder mystery set in Tinseltown, readers follow the protagonist Joey as she navigates the treacherous waters of Hollywood's underbelly. Tasked with uncovering the truth, Joey finds herself pitted against a shady costume designer and the uppity celebrity Gillian Best, adding layers of intrigue to the narrative.

McCown weaves a web of intrigue and suspense that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The plot is full of twists and turns, and the characters, including the determined Joey, are richly developed, adding depth to the story.

While "Star Struck 2" delivers an engaging storyline and an immersive setting, I found that some aspects of the mystery were resolved a bit too conveniently, detracting slightly from the overall tension of the plot. Additionally, certain character motivations could have been explored in more depth to add complexity to the story.

Nevertheless, McCown's portrayal of the glitz and grit of Hollywood is captivating, and the book offers a fascinating glimpse into the darker side of showbiz. Fans of murder mysteries will enjoy unraveling the secrets of "Star Struck 2" as they navigate the twists and turns of this gripping tale.

Overall, "Star Struck 2" is a solid addition to the genre, offering a compelling story set against the backdrop of Hollywood's allure and intrigue. Dive into this captivating mystery and uncover the secrets hidden beneath the stars.


*I was given a free copy to review with my honest opinion*1 Jimena PatiñoAuthor 17 books22

Thanks to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I have a lot of things to say about this book. First of all it's not that cozy. But passing on that point I would to explore a few things:

It was a well researched book about the wardrobe department for a movie and in that aspect I was having a day reading all the work issues related with Joey and the movie she is working on.

I have to say that maybe this is a total bummer for people who don't care about movie business. I think maybe people will expect to find a faster bookpace and it is not the case.

It has a lot of descriptions instead of dialogue. Wich is not bat but it can be tedious for the pace some time. I've enjoyed it even if it is a bit slow for a mystery. I say the situations and everything it's well written and documented. Also it is plausible for the character of Joey and her daily living in Los Angeles.

I was surprised (in the right sense) the inoperative police force that put the realistic touch for me.

It is not a cozy mystery we are all used to but for somebody cinephile, me it is very intriguing the portrait of the industry.

I guess I enjoyed a lot that. An this is my review: not your average murder mystery more a living in Hollywood kind of drama.

A four star reading for me and really refreshing topic I didn't expect to read. Poppy Marlowe536 21


Synopsis (From Netgalley, the provider of the book to review)
*******************************************************

Costumer Joey Jessop is working on a movie set in 1930s Hollywood and starring two of the world’s biggest stars. The male lead is also a dedicated social activist, and the female lead, Gillian Best, is known for her lifestyle brand. After a hit-and-run near the set, Joey realizes that the car involved belongs to Gillian, and she begins to wonder if the actress has more to hide than her Botox appointments.

Her suspicions deepen when Gillian’s personal assistant Rita vows to get revenge for Gillian replacing her and is found dead shortly after. Gillian quickly labels Rita’s death a suicide, and the police seem to agree–but Joey isn’t so sure.

With the police standing aside, it’s up to Joey to dig up the truth–but Hollywood stars know how to keep their secrets close, and a woman Gillian Best won’t take kindly to someone sniffing around her affairs. Joey is certain that Gillian has something to hide–and she’s determined to find out what.

This was a very .. descriptive… book – too descriptive. Get to the plot, please and thank you. Not a horrible book but not a good book: with some editing, it could be better.
2.5 stars rounded down to 2

#shortbutsweet
ngrev- series-bx Miriam Downey530 13

Marjorie McCown was a costume designer for the movies for her whole career. Now she is writing murder mysteries. This is the second in a series of Hollywood mysteries, based, primarily, on the career of a costume designer named Joey.

Most definitely this is not a must-read for mystery lovers, although there are some interesting characters, including Gillian Best, a nasty self-centered beast of an actress. Gillian is the star of the movie that Joey is designing for. The reader hates her for all the gossipy, social media reasons the author intended. Had McCown created costumes for a movie star Gillian in her own career?

Most of the book is based on Joey’s activities creating costumes for the movie Gillian is starring in. We have to believe such activities mimic McCown’s own career as a costume designer. I found the details of a career in costume design to be the most interesting aspect of the book—much more interesting than the characters involved in the mystery.

I received a copy of Star Struck from the publicist. It doesn’t need to be on your must-read list.
Carl VonderauAuthor 6 books86

I loved this second book in the series by Marjorie McCown. It is a very fun mystery set in Hollywood. Joey Jessop is a costumer who not only has to deal with the stresses of a movie, but the death of the star’s assistant. I learned so much about the intricate and fascinating world of Hollywood costuming and how the people behind the stars have to deal with narcissistic actors, mercurial studio heads, territorial staff, dishonest clothes manufacturers, and impossible deadlines. You can tell from the first page that McCown is an expert in this crazy world. She also weaves in street people, human trafficking, illegal sweatshops, and union challenges. As if this isn’t enough, Joey also has to investigate the death of a trafficked worker a few blocks away. She is a very courageous character who is not afraid to do the right thing in a cynical world. You will fly through the pages as you root for her and the friends she cherishes. And hope for the next book in the series soon!
2 s Valerie Laven-cooper1 review2

Joey Jessup is Fierce! I love a book where the lead character is someone I wish I knew. Joey Jessup is fierce, brave, smart, and ethical. The author paints a woman who is successful in her high pressure Hollywood career. But is tenacious and compassionate. The story is a quick easy read. I could not put it down. Some authors lose you in the names and places, and confusing details. Not this author. The multiple stories of a Hollywood murder, who is who, and unethical business practices kept me captivated. I also d woven into the story: were social issues of the un-housed, human trafficking, and illegal sweatshops. With a little bit of union proud practices thrown in. The best part of the book was the authentic world of Costuming a Hollywood film. I look forward to the next book of Joey's adventures. Highly recommend!This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review1 Kathleen DonnellyAuthor 3 books420

I am hooked on Marjorie McCown’s fabulous Hollywood Mystery series! In the second book, costumer Joey Jessop finds herself drawn into the world of high-stakes Hollywood drama. Joey witnesses a horrible hit and run that directly leads to another homicide. As she works to solve the case, Joey discovers dangerous secrets that make her the killer’s next target. McCown’s books are authentic with strong, well-developed characters. I enjoyed learning about costume design and what goes into a movie production along with reading a page-turning mystery. I highly recommend this series! I was given an ARC for a fair and honest review. 1 Sarah B195

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